Designer Tom Ford is planning to open his first retail store on Madison Avenue to showcase his own branded merchandise – including sunglasses and a soon-to-be launched men’s wear collection.

Ford is in the final stages of negotiations for 10,529 square feet of retail space at 845 Madison Ave. The spot, at the northeast corner of 70th Street, once housed the former Gianfranco Ferre boutique, which moved up the block to No. 870.

The deal would land Ford on the gold coast of Manhattan commercial real estate next to other luxury brands such as Sonia Rykiel and Yves Saint Laurent.

Ralph Lauren is said to have scouted the entire block, but decided against the deal – freeing the space, which is believed to rent for $700 a square foot, to other merchants.

Ford will occupy the basement, ground floor and second floor, which may be used for offices and a showroom, according to Robert K. Futterman & Associates, which brokered the deal.

Lisa Schiek, a spokeswoman for Ford, declined to comment.

Ford garnered international acclaim as the creative director for the Gucci Group. Along with former Chief Executive Domenico De Sole, the designer helped to revive that brand and turn it into a fashion sensation, only to leave in 2004 after falling out with Gucci’s new owner, Pinault Printemps Redoute.

Since then Ford and De Sole have been working on various projects, including providing consulting services for Bally, the Swiss luxury brand. Ford also has designed a line of fragrance and cosmetics for the Estee Lauder Cos.

Plans for Ford’s store were first reported by Fashion Week Daily, an industry newswire.